Parking lock assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a parking lock assembly(15) with a drive device (16), a first drive element (24) that can be pivoted by the drive device (16) about a stationary rotational axis (29), and a second drive element (27) that is in operative connection with the first drive element (24) via a spring unit (28) and can be connected to the first drive element (24) for conjoint rotation via a latching device (30) and can be pivoted together with the first drive element (24) about the rotational axis (29) of the first drive element (24). An actuation element (31) can be brought into engagement or out of engagement with a locking element (18) on the basis of a pivoting movement of the second drive element (27), a rotational movement of a shaft (7) being lockable and releasable via said locking element. The second drive element (27) and the locking element (18) are paired with a spring device (34) that has a spring plate (34A) with a spring lug (34B) and at least one other spring lug (34D). The spring constant of the additional spring lug (34D) is lower than the spring constant of the spring lug (32B). The spring lug (34B) rests against the second drive element (27) under pre-tension in the release position of the locking element (18) and holds the locking element (18) in the release position. The other spring lug (34B) keeps the locking element (18) in contact with the actuation element (31) in the locked position.

Description

[0001] Parking lock arrangement

[0002] The invention relates to a parking lock arrangement according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] A parking lock system for a motor vehicle is known from DE 10 2019 001 189 A1. The parking lock system comprises a housing and a drive shaft that can be coupled to a wheel of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, a locking element is provided, via which the drive shaft can be connected to the housing in a rotationally fixed manner. In addition, the parking lock system comprises an actuating element designed to actuate the locking element. A first adjusting disc and a second adjusting disc are arranged around a common axis of rotation. The first adjusting disc is rotationally adjustable via an adjusting device. A first actuator is coupled to the actuating element and to the second adjusting disc.

[0004] In addition, the adjusting device, the first adjusting disc, the second adjusting disc, the first actuator, the actuating element and the locking element are arranged such that an actuating force can be transmitted from the adjusting device to the first adjusting disc. The actuating force is transmitted from the first adjusting disc to the second adjusting disc, from there to the first actuator, from there to the actuating element and from there to the locking element. Furthermore, at least one spring device is provided which has a first end and a second end. The first end is supported at least indirectly relative to the first adjusting disc, while the second end is supported at least indirectly relative to the second adjusting disc.

[0005] Furthermore, the parking lock system comprises a second actuator that is pivot-free relative to the first actuator and displaceable in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the common axis of rotation. The second actuator is directly coupled to the first actuator by means of the spring device.

[0006] Unfortunately, the parking lock system has a complex design and also requires high actuating forces to engage the parking lock assembly during emergency operation. This is because the two actuators are moved relative to each other along a common contact area during the engagement process in emergency operation. This creates friction in the contact area. The resulting friction force must also be overcome by the spring device.

[0007] The present invention is based on the object of creating a structurally simple parking lock arrangement, in particular a parking lock arrangement of a drive train of a vehicle, which can also be actuated with low actuating forces, in particular during emergency operation.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved with a parking lock arrangement having the features of patent claim 1.

[0009] The parking lock assembly according to the invention comprises a drive device and a first drive element, which can be pivoted by the drive device about a fixed axis of rotation. A second drive element is also provided, which is operatively connected to the first drive element via a spring unit. In addition, the second drive element can be connected to the first drive element in a rotationally fixed manner via a locking device and can be pivoted together with the first drive element about the axis of rotation of the first drive element.

[0010] An actuating element can be brought into or out of engagement with a locking element depending on a pivoting movement of the second drive element. The locking element can be used to lock a rotary movement of a shaft in a locking position of the locking element and to release it in a release position of the locking element.

[0011] When the locking device is deactivated, the second drive element can be pivoted by the spring unit about a further rotational axis relative to the first drive element. The further rotational axis is fixed to the first drive element and spaced apart from the rotational axis of the first drive element.

[0012] The second drive element is preferably permanently rotatably mounted on the first drive element. The locking device enables the second drive element to be operatively connected to the first drive element in the region of the rotational axis in such a way that the locking device blocks rotational movement of the second drive element relative to the first drive element about the additional rotational axis. The second drive element and the first drive element can then be pivoted together by the drive device about the rotational axis.

[0013] This offers the possibility that the parking lock arrangement, the spring unit of which establishes an operative connection between the first drive element and the second drive element, can be operated in a particularly energetically advantageous manner during normal operation of the parking lock arrangement without changing the spring preload of the spring unit.

[0014] This means that the parking lock arrangement can be actuated via the drive device during normal operation, during which the two drive elements are connected to one another via the locking device. This means that the parking lock arrangement can be transferred by the drive device from an engaged state (P_on), in which the shaft is held in place by the parking lock arrangement, to a disengaged state (P_off), in which the rotational movement of the shaft is released by the parking lock arrangement. Furthermore, during normal operation, the parking lock arrangement can also be transferred by the drive device from the disengaged operating state to the engaged operating state with low actuating forces. This is always the case because, due to the rotationally fixed coupling of the drive elements, no relative movement or resulting frictional forces occur in the area between the drive elements.

[0015] Furthermore, the parking lock arrangement can also be operated with low actuating forces during emergency operation, during which actuation of the parking lock arrangement by the drive device is not possible. This is the case because in emergency operation, in which the rotationally fixed connection between the first drive element and the second drive element is released by deactivating the locking device, the second drive element executes a relative movement with respect to the first drive element around the further axis of rotation due to the applied spring force of the spring unit, and the parking lock arrangement is either engaged or disengaged depending on the respective application. Since the further drive element can only be mounted on the first drive element around the further axis of rotation and can be carried out in contact with it, the frictional forces occurring between the drive elements in emergency operation are significantly lower compared to the known parking lock arrangement.The second drive element and the locking element are additionally assigned a spring device by means of which the locking element can be actuated in the direction of the release position.

[0016] According to the invention, the spring device comprises a spring plate with a spring tab and with at least one further spring tab, which extend in the longitudinal direction from a central region and from a rotational axis of the locking element.

[0017] The spring constant of the additional spring tab is smaller than the spring constant of the spring tab. When the locking element is in the release position, the spring tab rests against the second drive element under preload and holds the locking element in the release position. The additional spring tab holds the locking element in contact with the actuating element in the locked position.

[0018] The locking element can be actuated by the second drive element with low actuating forces if a distance between a force introduction area, in which the spring yoke is actuated by the second drive element, and the rotational axis of the locking element is designed to be as large as possible.

[0019] In a structurally simple and cost-effective development, the spring device can comprise a spring plate with a central region and two legs extending longitudinally from the central region. This makes it possible to position the spring device at a small axial distance from a bearing of the drive elements. As a result, during operation of the parking lock arrangement, only small tilting moments occur in the area of ​​the bearing, resulting from the spring force of the spring device acting on the second drive element.

[0020] Such tilting moments can also be reduced by arranging the locking element at one end between the legs of the spring plate and firmly connecting it to at least one of the legs.

[0021] The locking element and the spring plate can be mounted on the housing side so that they can rotate about a common axis of rotation. It is also possible for the second drive element to engage the spring plate with an actuating area. In this case, the locking element can be guided out of engagement with a parking lock gear connected to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner via the spring plate when the second drive element is pivoted toward a position in which the second drive element is arranged when the locking element releases the shaft.

[0022] The position and shape of the actuating area of ​​the second drive element and the position and shape of the spring plate can be easily coordinated with one another. The coordination can be selected such that, in the release position of the locking element, the spring force of the spring plate's spring plate acts on the second drive element in such a way that the spring force of the spring plate's spring plate results in a torque that is applied to the second drive torque and counteracts the torque resulting from the spring force of the spring unit acting on the second drive element.

[0023] In other words, in such an embodiment of the parking lock arrangement, a torque is applied to the second drive element by the spring device at least from a defined pivoting position of the second drive element, which the second drive element passes through during an adjusting movement of the locking element toward its locking position. This torque then counteracts a torque applied to the second drive element by the spring unit.

[0024] As a result, a transverse force acting on the locking device during normal operation of the parking lock arrangement and counteracting actuation of the locking device is reduced in a structurally simple manner once the defined pivot position is reached.

[0025] This has the effect that the locking device of the parking lock arrangement according to the invention can be actuated with significantly lower forces compared to known solutions.

[0026] At least in the locking position of the locking element, the spring plate can rest against a housing-side stop with the additional spring tab, thus holding the locking element in contact with the actuating element. This allows the locking element to be held in a defined operating state with minimal design effort when the parking lock assembly is engaged, from which the parking lock assembly can be easily transferred to the disengaged state.

[0027] The position of the actuating area on the second drive element, the position of the housing-side stop, and the paths of the spring tabs can be coordinated in such a way that the locking element is held in the release position by the actuating area of ​​the second drive element resting on the spring tab, while the other spring tab and the housing-side stop are disengaged. Then, in the designed operating state of the parking lock arrangement, the locking element is securely held in the release position by the higher spring constant of the spring tab. At the same time, during an engagement process of the parking lock arrangement, the other spring tab counteracts the adjustment of the locking element toward the locking position with only the smaller spring constant.

[0028] Furthermore, the position of the actuating area on the second drive element, the position of the housing-side stop, and the paths of the spring tabs can be coordinated such that, in the locked position of the locking element, the further spring tab rests against the housing-side stop and presses the locking element against the actuating element, while the spring tab and the actuating area of ​​the second drive element are disengaged. In this case, when the parking lock arrangement is engaged, the locking element remains securely in the locked position due to the lower spring constant of the further spring tab, but is applied to the actuating element in a defined manner. At the same time, when the parking lock arrangement is engaged, the locking element is not actuated by the spring tab in the direction of the release position.

[0029] If the spring tabs form an acute angle with one another, the parking lock arrangement requires little installation space. The locking element can be designed with a stop area against which the spring tab rests under preload when the locking element is arranged in the locked position. The difference between the preload of the spring tab in the release position of the locking element and the preload of the spring tab in the locked position of the locking element can then be limited. This improves the durability of the spring device in a structurally simple manner compared to an embodiment without such a stop area of ​​the locking element, in which the difference in the spring preload of the spring tab between the release position and the locked position of the locking element is greater.

[0030] The actuating element can be arranged so as to be longitudinally displaceable on an actuating rod and can be subjected to a spring force by a spring element in the direction of a stop area. The actuating element can be pressed against the stop area by the spring element both in the locked position of the locking element and in the release position of the locking element. This ensures in a structurally simple manner that the drive elements in normal operation or the second drive element in emergency operation can be moved into the position that they have in the locked position of the locking element, even during a so-called tooth-on-tooth position between the locking element and a parking lock gear, even though the locking element cannot yet be moved into its locked position by the actuating element due to the tooth-on-tooth position.As soon as the tooth-on-tooth position is released, the actuating element is moved in the direction of the stop area by the spring element, which is pre-tensioned accordingly during the tooth-on-tooth position, and the locking element is transferred from the actuating element into its locking position.

[0031] Another advantage is that the spring yoke and the additional spring yoke do not counteract, or only to a limited extent, the adjustment of the actuating element by the spring element after the tooth-on-tooth position has been released. This is because the spring yoke, with its higher spring constant, is not operatively connected to the actuating area of ​​the second drive element, and the additional spring yoke, with its lower spring constant, is only increasingly preloaded when the locking element engages the parking lock gear, engaging it in the direction of the locking element's release position.

[0032] In another embodiment of the parking lock device according to the invention, which is structurally simple and characterized by a high power density, the drive device comprises an electric motor. A drive shaft of the electric motor is rotationally fixedly connected to a gearwheel that engages with a toothing of the first drive element. The toothing can be designed as a tooth profile that extends over a defined angular range and forms a type of gearwheel segment.

[0033] If the tooth engagement between the gear wheel and the toothing of the first drive element is designed to be self-locking, an additional locking mechanism with which the parking lock arrangement is held in the engaged or disengaged state can advantageously be dispensed with.

[0034] For this purpose, it is possible, for example, to carry out the meshing between the gear and the toothing in the manner of a self-locking worm gear or the like.

[0035] In a structurally simple, space-saving and lightweight embodiment, the parking lock arrangement according to the invention comprises disc-like or lever-like drive elements.

[0036] Furthermore, the axis of rotation of the first drive element and the further axis of rotation can be provided running parallel to one another in an embodiment of the parking lock arrangement according to the invention which is advantageous in terms of installation space.

[0037] The locking device can have a lifting magnet, by means of which a locking element can be guided out of engagement with the second drive element against a spring. The locking element can be displaced longitudinally along the rotational axis. This offers the possibility of releasing the operative connection between the two drive elements in the region of the rotational axis of the first drive element by applying a short electrical pulse via the lifting magnet, thus releasing the relative rotational movement of the second drive element with respect to the first drive element. In addition, the spring-loaded locking element ensures that the locking device is automatically activated as soon as the two drive elements are in the required pivoting positions.

[0038] In a further development of the parking lock arrangement according to the invention, which can be operated with little control and regulation effort, a pivot angle range of the first drive element is limited by stops both in the direction of a position of the first drive element which the first drive element has when the locking element blocks the rotational movement of the shaft, and in the direction of a position of the first drive element which the first drive element assumes when the locking element releases the rotational movement of the shaft.

[0039] This also applies to a further embodiment of the parking lock arrangement according to the present invention, in which a pivot angle range of the second drive element is limited by stops both in the direction of a position of the second drive element which the second drive element has when the locking element blocks the rotational movement of the shaft, and in the direction of a position of the second drive element which the second drive element assumes when the locking element releases the rotational movement of the shaft.

[0040] In a particularly easy-to-operate embodiment of the parking lock arrangement according to the invention, the stop which limits the pivot angle range of the second drive element in the direction of the position of the second drive element which the second drive element assumes when the locking element releases the rotational movement of the shaft is provided in the region of the first drive element.

[0041] In a further embodiment of the parking lock arrangement according to the invention, the second drive element can be transferred by the first drive element by means of the stop in the region of the first drive element without additional control and regulating effort from its pivoted position relative to the first drive element into the pivoted position in which the two drive elements are connected to one another by the locking element. A parking lock arrangement should be understood in particular as a system which is intended to lock a motor vehicle drive train in an engaged state, in particular in the region of a transmission, so that at least one output shaft of the transmission is blocked and a motor vehicle is secured against rolling away in a parked state. The engaged state of the parking lock arrangement corresponds in particular to a so-called P_on state.In a disengaged state, the parking lock assembly is designed to release the output shaft.

[0042] The disengaged state of the parking lock assembly corresponds in particular to a so-called P_off state. For this purpose, the parking lock assembly preferably has a parking lock gear. A parking lock gear is to be understood in particular as a gearwheel having a toothing on its circumference which is provided for coupling to a locking element that is at least partially fixed to the housing, in particular a pawl. The locking element is preferably provided to fix the parking lock gear to the housing when the parking lock assembly is engaged. A pawl is to be understood in particular as an element that can be pivoted between two operating positions and forms at least one locking tooth that is designed to correspond to the toothing of the parking lock gear and is provided to engage the parking lock assembly in a form-fitting manner with the toothing of the parking lock gear.

[0043] The invention is not limited to the specified combination of features of the independent claims or the dependent claims. Furthermore, possibilities arise for combining individual features with one another, even if they emerge from the claims, the following description of embodiments, or directly from the drawings. The reference of the claims to the drawings by the use of reference symbols is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims.

[0044] Preferred developments emerge from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings. Herein:

[0045] Fig. 1 is a simplified representation of an electrically driven vehicle axle of a vehicle with a parking lock arrangement;

[0046] Fig. 2 is a simplified three-dimensional representation of the parking lock arrangement of the vehicle axle according to Fig. 1 in the engaged operating state of the parking lock arrangement;

[0047] Fig. 3a is a side view of part of the parking lock arrangement according to Fig. 2 from a view IIa shown in more detail in Fig. 2;

[0048] Fig. 3b shows a representation of the parking lock arrangement corresponding to Fig. 3a during a disengagement process;

[0049] Fig. 4 is a representation of the parking lock arrangement corresponding to Fig. 3a in the designed operating state of the parking lock arrangement;

[0050] Fig. 5 is a representation corresponding to Fig. 3a of the parking lock arrangement in normal operation during an engagement process, wherein a tooth-on-tooth position exists between a locking element and a parking lock gear;

[0051] Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of the parking lock arrangement along a section line VI-VI shown in more detail in Fig. 4;

[0052] Fig. 7 is a representation corresponding to Fig. 3a of the parking lock arrangement in emergency operation and in the engaged state;

[0053] Fig. 8 is a three-dimensional view of a spring device of the parking lock arrangement;

[0054] Fig. 9 shows a curve of a torque over the travel of the locking element, resulting from the spring force of the spring device according to Fig. 8 and applied to the locking element; Fig. 10a shows a side view of the locking element and the spring device according to Fig. 8, wherein the spring tab of the spring device, which is assigned to the second drive element, is shown in various preloaded positions;

[0055] Fig. 10b is a schematic representation of a course of the preload of the spring tab over the preload position of the spring tab;

[0056] Fig. 11 is a representation corresponding to Fig. 3a of a further embodiment of the parking lock arrangement in the engaged emergency operating state of the parking lock arrangement; and

[0057] Fig. 12 the parking lock arrangement according to Fig. 1 1 in designed normal operating state.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a highly simplified view of an electrically driven vehicle axle 1 with a drive device 2. The drive device 2 comprises an electric machine 3, an inverter 4 for the electric machine 3 and a transmission device 5. An output shaft 6 of the electric machine 3 is arranged coaxially to a transmission input shaft 7 of the transmission device 5 and is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0059] The transmission input shaft 7 is operatively connected to a transmission output shaft 10 via gear pairs 8, 9 of the transmission device 5. The gear pairs 8 and 9 are designed as spur gears and each comprise a first spur gear 8A or 9A and a second spur gear 8B or 9B. The first spur gear 8A of the first gear pair 8 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the transmission input shaft 7 and meshes with the second spur gear 8B of the first gear pair 8. The second spur gear 8B of the first gear pair 8 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on an intermediate shaft 51, on which the first spur gear 9A of the second gear pair 9 is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner. The first spur gear 9A of the second gear pair 9 meshes with the second spur gear 9B, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the transmission output shaft 10. The electric machine 3, the inverter 4 and the transmission device 5 are arranged in a transmission housing 11 and in a housing of the drive device 2, respectively.An intermediate wall 12 separates the interior of the gear housing 11 into an oil-free interior 13 and an oil-filled interior 14.

[0060] When the drive device 2 is switched off, no torque is applied to the transmission input shaft 7 by the electric motor 3, so that the transmission output shaft 10 can rotate freely. To prevent a vehicle equipped with the electrically driven vehicle axle 1 from accidentally rolling away when parked, particularly on a slope, the transmission device 5 additionally comprises a parking lock arrangement 15.

[0061] The parking lock assembly 15 enables the transmission output shaft 10 to be rotationally fixed. For this purpose, the parking lock assembly 15 comprises a drive device 16 with an electric motor 16A. A parking lock mechanism 17, shown in Fig. 2, can be actuated by the drive device 16 or its electric motor 16A. The parking lock mechanism 17 comprises, among other things, a locking element 18, which is designed as a so-called pawl. The locking element 18 can be engaged or disengaged with a parking lock gear 19 upon appropriate actuation by the electric motor. In the exemplary embodiment of the electrically driven vehicle axle 1 shown in Fig. 1, the parking lock gear 19 is arranged rotationally fixed on the transmission input shaft 7.

[0062] In order to prevent the drive device 16 and the electric motor 16A from malfunctioning due to oil entering a housing 20 of the electric machine 16A, the electric machine 16A is firmly attached to the intermediate wall 12 on the side of the intermediate wall 12 that faces the oil-free interior 13. To actuate the parking lock mechanism 17, the electric motor 16A passes through the intermediate wall 12 with its drive shaft 21. In order to prevent unwanted oil from entering the oil-filled interior 14 through the intermediate wall 12 into the oil-free interior 13, a sealing unit (not shown in detail) is provided between the drive shaft 21 of the electric machine 16A and the intermediate wall 12. In addition to the electric machine 16A, an electrical plug unit 22 is arranged in the oil-free interior 13, via which plug unit the electric machine 16A can be controlled and actuated in the desired manner.In addition, a lifting magnet 23 is firmly attached to the intermediate wall 12 in the oil-free interior 13.

[0063] The parking lock mechanism 17 is formed with a first drive element 24 which, in the manner shown in more detail in Fig. 2, engages with a gear 26 via a toothing 25. The gear 26 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive shaft 21 of the electric motor 16A. A second drive element 27 is operatively connected to the first drive element 24 via a spring unit 28 which is supported on both the first drive element 24 and the second drive element 27 and, in the assembled state, is preloaded between them. The first drive element 24 can be pivoted by the drive device 16 about a fixed axis of rotation 29. The second drive element 27 can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first drive element 24 via a locking device 30 and can then be pivoted together with the first drive element 24 about the axis of rotation 29.

[0064] In addition, the parking lock arrangement 15 comprises an actuating element 31, which can be brought into engagement with or out of engagement with the locking element 18 depending on a pivoting movement of the second drive element 27. A rotational movement of the transmission input shaft 7 can be locked via the locking element 18 when the locking element 18 positively engages the parking lock gear 19 in the manner illustrated in more detail in Fig. 2. In contrast, a rotational movement of the transmission input shaft 7 is released by the locking element 18 when the locking element 18 is disengaged from the parking lock gear 19.

[0065] The second drive element 27 is connected in this case to the actuating element 31 via an actuating rod 32. A spring element 33 is provided on the actuating rod 32, and the actuating element 31 is spring-loaded thereby against a stop region 31A and arranged longitudinally displaceably on the actuating rod 32. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3a show the parking lock arrangement 15, respectively, in the engaged state and in the so-called normal operating state, in which the first drive element 24 is rotationally connected to the second drive element 27 via the locking device 30. The locking device 30 can be actuated via the solenoid 23 in the manner described in more detail below. Fig. 3b also shows the parking lock arrangement 15 during a disengagement process.

[0066] In addition, the parking lock arrangement 15 is shown in Fig. 4 in normal operation and in a fully disengaged operating state, in which a positive connection between the locking element 18 and the parking lock gear 19 is canceled by corresponding electric motor-side actuation of the first drive element 24 and the second drive element 27 connected thereto for rotation. In this state, the locking element 18 is held out of engagement with the parking lock gear 19 by a further spring device 34 operatively connected to the locking element 18. Fig. 5 shows the parking lock arrangement 15 in normal operation in a so-called tooth-on-tooth operating state, during which the locking element 18 rests against the circumference of the parking lock gear 19 and cannot be brought into positive engagement with the parking lock gear 19.

[0067] The spring device 34 comprises a spring plate 34A with a central region 34A1 and two legs 34A2 and 34A3 extending longitudinally from the central region 34A1. The locking element 18 is arranged at one end between the legs 34A2 and 34A3 of the spring plate 34A and is firmly connected to the leg 34A3 via a nipple 18B, which positively engages a bore 34A31 of the leg 34A31. Furthermore, the locking element 18 and the spring plate 34A are mounted on the housing side for rotation about a common rotation axis 41.

[0068] The spring plate 34A has a spring plate 34B and a further spring plate 34D, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the spring plate 34A from the central region 34A1 and away from the rotational axis 41 of the locking element 18. The spring constant of the further spring plate 34D is smaller than the spring constant of the spring plate 34B. Furthermore, the spring plates 34B and 34D form an acute angle α with each other. The second drive element 27, which is disengaged from the spring plate 34B when the parking lock arrangement 15 is engaged, comes into contact with the spring plate 34B with an actuating region 27A during a disengagement movement. In this case, the spring tab 34B is increasingly pretensioned by the second actuating element 27 until the locking element 18 is guided via the spring plate 34A out of engagement with the parking lock gear 19 which is connected to the shaft 7 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0069] The position of the actuating area 27A, the position of the housing-side stop 50, and the paths of the spring tabs 34B and 34D are structurally coordinated such that, in the manner shown in Fig. 3a, the spring plate 34A rests with the further spring tab 34D against a housing-side stop 50 in the locked position of the locking element 18 and holds the locking element 18 in contact with the actuating element 31, while the spring tab 32B no longer rests against the actuating area 27A of the second actuating element 27. However, in the locked position of the locking element 18, the spring tab 32B rests against a stop area 18A of the locking element 18. As a result, the spring tab 34B is held in a defined preload state without, however, actuating the locking element 18.

[0070] Furthermore, the position of the actuating area 27A, the position of the housing-side stop 50 and the courses of the spring tabs 34B and 34D are structurally coordinated with one another in such a way that the locking element 18 is held in the release position by the actuating area 27A of the second drive element 27 resting on the spring tab 34B, while the further spring tab 34D does not rest on the housing-side stop 50.

[0071] In addition, the position and shape of the actuating region 27A of the second drive element and the position and shape of the spring tab 34B are structurally coordinated with one another. The coordination is selected such that the spring force of the spring tab 34B of the spring plate 34A acts on the second drive element 27 in a defined manner when the locking element 18 is in the release position. In the release position of the locking element 18, the spring force of the spring tab 34B of the spring plate 34A results in a torque M34 acting on the second drive element 27, which torque M28 results from the spring force of the spring unit 28 acting on the second drive element 27.

[0072] The actuating element 31 is arranged in the present case between a guide element 35 which is fixed to the housing and firmly connected to the intermediate wall 12 and on a side 36 of the locking element 18 facing away from the parking lock gear 19 and rests with a conical region 37 on a tapered bevel 35A of the guide element 35 and on a tapered bevel 38 of the locking pawl or the locking element 18.

[0073] To engage the parking lock arrangement 15, the electric machine 16A rotates the drive shaft 21 and the gear 26 connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner. This causes the first drive element 24 to pivot about the axis of rotation 29 in the direction of rotation DR1. Since the second drive element 27 is firmly connected to the first drive element 24 in the manner shown in more detail in Fig. 6, both in the region of a bolt-like extension 39 of the first drive element 24 and in the region of a locking element 40 of the locking device 30, the second drive element 27 is pivoted by the electric motor 16A together with the first drive element 24 about the axis of rotation 29 in the direction of rotation DR1.

[0074] This causes the actuating rod 32 to be adjusted in the direction of the actuating element 31. In the process, the spring element 33 is compressed until the actuating element 31 is displaced by the spring element 33 along the bevel 38 of the locking element 18 and along the bevel 35A of the guide element 35 in the direction of the stop area 31A. The locking element 18 is then guided into engagement with the parking lock gear 19. This is the case when the two drive elements 24 and 27 are adjusted by the electric machine 16A in the pivoting direction DR1 to such an extent that an actuating force, which is impressed on the locking element 18 by the spring tab 34B of the spring device 34 in the direction of the release position, drops to a level such that the locking element 18 can be pivoted about the axis of rotation 41 and guided into engagement with the parking lock gear 19.

[0075] The locking element 40 extends through the intermediate wall 12 and the first drive element 24, is arranged coaxially to the rotational axis 29, and is designed to be longitudinally displaceable in the direction of the rotational axis 29. During normal operation of the parking lock arrangement 15, the solenoid 23 is de-energized, and the locking element 40 is held in engagement with the second drive element 27 by a spring not shown in detail in the drawing. Fig. 6 shows a bearing unit 48 designed as a rolling bearing, via which the first drive element 24 is rotatably mounted in the intermediate wall 12. Depending on the particular application, the bearing unit 48 can also be designed as a plain bearing.

[0076] Due to the structural design of the spring device 34 described in more detail above, the spring plate 34A and a force introduction area 34C of the spring tab 34B can be arranged on the rotation axis 41 with a small axial bearing distance 34-48 from a bearing center of the bearing unit 48. This results in only a small tilting moment in the area of ​​the bearing unit 48 during operation, which has a positive effect on the bearing load and the level of frictional moments.

[0077] The bolt-like extension 39 extends through the second drive element 27 in the region of two legs 27C, 27D, which are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the further rotation axis 45. Between the legs 27C and 27D, in whose region tilting moments acting on the second drive element 27 can be easily supported, the spring unit 28 is also arranged on the bolt-like extension 39.

[0078] When the parking lock assembly 15 is engaged, the first drive element 24 rests against a housing-side stop 42, and the second drive element 27 rests against a housing-side stop 43. In contrast, when the parking lock assembly 15 is in the disengaged operating state, the first drive element 24 rests against another housing-side stop 44, so that the first drive element 24 has a defined position even when the parking lock assembly 15 is in the disengaged state.

[0079] If the parking lock arrangement 15 is to be transferred to the designed operating state, the first drive element 24 is adjusted accordingly by the electric machine 16A about the rotation axis 29 in the pivoting direction or rotation direction DR2, which also results in a pivoting of the second drive element 27 about the rotation axis 29. The pivoting of the second drive element 27 about the rotation axis 29 results in the actuating rod 32 guiding the actuating element 31 out of engagement with the bevel 38 of the locking element 18 and with the bevel 35A of the guide element. Only then does the second actuating element 27 come into contact with the spring tab 34B and guide the actuating element 31 out of its locked position.

[0080] If, in the designed operating state of the parking lock assembly 15, a malfunction is detected in the area of ​​the drive device 16 that prevents the parking lock assembly 15 from being engaged by the electric motor 16A, and if a corresponding request to engage the parking lock assembly 15 is present, the lifting magnet 23 is electrically controlled accordingly. The lifting magnet 23 then moves the locking element 40 out of engagement with the second actuating element 27, counter to the acting spring force. This operating state of the locking element 40 is illustrated in more detail in Fig. 7.

[0081] Since the operative connection between the gearwheel 26 and the toothing 25 of the first drive element 24 is designed to be self-locking in the present case, the first drive element 24 remains in the pivoted position shown in Fig. 7, which corresponds to the designed operating state of the parking lock arrangement 15. By pulling the locking element 40 out of engagement with the second drive element 27, the rotationally fixed connection between the first drive element 24 and the second drive element 27 in the region of the axis of rotation 29 is released. This results in the second drive element 27 being pivoted by the spring unit 28, which is arranged in a preloaded state between the two drive elements 24 and 27, from the pivoted position shown in Fig. 4 about the bolt-like extension 39 in the direction of rotation DR1 until the second drive element 27 comes to rest against the stop 43 on the housing side.

[0082] Through this pivoting movement of the second drive element 27 about a rotational axis 45 located in the region of the bolt-like extension 39, the actuating element 31 is pushed between the guide bevel 35A of the guide element 35A and the guide bevel 38 of the locking element 18 in the manner described in more detail above. This creates a positive connection between the locking element 18 and the parking lock gear 19.

[0083] In order to be able to return the parking lock arrangement 15, which has been released in this emergency, to the designed operating state as needed, an actuating force F can be applied to the second drive element 27 via a corresponding device in order to impart a rotational movement in the direction of rotation DR2 about the axis of rotation 45 to the second drive element 27. This rotational movement causes the second drive element 27, from a certain angle of rotation, to come into contact with a further stop 46, which is provided on the first drive element 24 and limits the rotational movement of the second actuating element 27 about the axis of rotation 45. The further stop 46 is positioned such that a bore 47 of the second drive element 27, which is provided for receiving the locking element 40, overlaps exactly next to the locking element 40 and the locking element 40 retracts into the bore 47 in a spring-actuated manner. The parking lock arrangement 15 is thus disengaged again and the transmission input shaft 7 can rotate.

[0084] The actuating force F can be applied mechanically as a compressive or tensile force to the second drive element 27 in order to transfer the parking lock arrangement 15 into the designed operating state.

[0085] In addition, it is also possible to return the emergency-released parking lock arrangement 15 to the designed operating state once proper functionality of the drive device 16 has been restored by correspondingly actuating the first drive element 24 by the electric machine 16A. If the first drive element 24 is driven by the electric motor 16A in the direction of rotation DR1, this results in the stop 46 coming into contact with the second drive element 27 and the second drive element 27 being adjusted together with the bolt-like extension 39 until the bore 47 overlaps the locking element 40 and the locking element 40 snaps into the bore 47.

[0086] Fig. 8 shows a three-dimensional representation of the spring plate 34A alone. From the representation according to Fig. 8, it can be seen that the leg 34A3 is longer than the leg 32A2 and has a bore 32A31 in its free end, into which the nipple 18B of the locking element 18 engages. As a result, the spring plate 32A is connected to the locking element 18 in a rotationally fixed manner in the assembled state, and incorrect assembly of the parking lock assembly 15 is prevented with little effort.

[0087] The constructive coordination of the parking lock arrangement 15 described in more detail above brings about a curve MD of a torque shown in Fig. 9 over the actuating path S18 of the locking element 18 between the locking position and the release position of the locking element 18, which torque rests on the locking element 18 as a result of the different spring constants of the spring tabs 32B and 32D.

[0088] In the fully disengaged normal state of the parking lock assembly 15, the second drive element 27 is connected to the first drive element 24, and the first drive element 24 rests against the stop 44. The spring tab 32B then undergoes the greatest deformation by the second drive element 27, and the locking element 18 is held out of engagement with the parking lock gear 19 with the greatest spring force. This position of the locking element 18 corresponds to the travel value S18a of the travel S18. At the travel value S18a, the torque MD applied to the locking element 18 is at its maximum and has the value MD(S18a).

[0089] When a request to engage the parking lock assembly 15 is issued, during normal operation the two drive elements 24 and 27 are pivoted about the rotation axis 29 in the manner described above. This results in the actuating area 27A of the second actuating element 27 also being pivoted towards the position corresponding to the locked position of the locking element 18. In the process, the spring preload of the spring tab 32B and the torque MD applied to the locking element 18 decrease. When the actuating area 27A lifts off the spring tab 32A, the torque MD is zero. This is the case here with an exemplary travel S18null, since in this operating state of the parking lock assembly 15 the further spring tab 32D is not yet in contact with the housing-side stop 50. This ensures that the locking element 18 can be guided into engagement with the parking lock gear 19 by the actuating element 31 with low actuating forces.As soon as the locking element 18 is adjusted by the actuating element 31 to such an extent that the locking element 18 is partially or just not yet in engagement with the parking lock gear 19, depending on the particular application, the spring plate 34A with the further spring tab 34D comes into contact with the stop area 50. In the present case, this is the case at the travel value S18b. As the travel S18 of the locking element 18 continues to increase in the direction of the travel value S18e, which the locking element 18 has in its locked position, the torque MD increases again from zero to a value MD(S18e) that is smaller than the value MD(S18a). The value MD(S18e) of the torque MD means that the locking element 18 is not transferred into the release position by the spring device 34 but is held in contact with the actuating element 31.

[0090] Fig. 10a shows a side view of the locking element 18 and the spring plate 34A according to Fig. 8, wherein the spring tab 34B of the spring plate 34A is shown in three different preloaded positions 34B1 to 34B3. In addition, Fig. 10b shows a profile V34B of the preload of the spring tab 32B over the preloaded position that the spring tab 34B assumes in relation to the central region 34A1 of the spring plate 34A. From the illustration according to Fig. 10b, it can be seen that the spring tab 34B is completely relaxed in the first preloaded position 34B1, in which the spring tab 34B is arranged without the stop region 18A of the locking element 18 in the locked position of the locking element 18. In comparison, the preload of the spring tab 34B in the second preload position 34B2, in which the spring tab 34B is arranged in the blocking position of the blocking element 18, has a preload value V34B(34B2).In the third preload position 34B3, in which the spring tab 34B is held in the release position of the locking element 18 by the second drive element 27, the preload has a preload value V34B(34B3) which is greater than the preload value V32B(34B2) in the second preload position 32B2.

[0091] From the illustration in Fig. 10b, it can be seen that the difference between the second preload position 34B2 and the third preload position 34B3 of the spring tab 34B is smaller than the difference between the first preload position 34B1 and the third preload position 34B3. This smaller difference simply improves the durability of the spring device 34, which has a positive effect on the service life and maintenance effort of the parking lock assembly 15.

[0092] Fig. 11 shows a representation corresponding to Fig. 3a of a further embodiment of the parking lock assembly 1511, the structural design and function of which essentially correspond to the design and function of the parking lock assembly 15. The parking lock assembly 1511 is shown in Fig. 11 in the engaged emergency mode and differs from the parking lock assembly 15 only by a further embodiment of the spring device 34 and the locking element 18, which is designed without the stop region 18A.

[0093] The spring tabs 34B and 34D of the spring device 34 of the parking lock arrangement 1511 each have a curved profile compared to the spring tabs 34B and 34D of the spring plate 34A according to Fig. 8. The curved profile of the spring tab 34B is selected such that the profile of the preload of the spring tab 34B of the spring device 34 according to Fig. 11 initially has a flat rise during a disengagement process of the parking lock arrangement 1511 and rises with a greater gradient near the release position of the locking element 18.

[0094] Additionally, the parking lock assembly 1511 is shown in Fig. 12 in the engaged normal operating state, in which the spring tab 34B interacts with the actuating region 27A of the second drive element 27 such that, as in the parking lock assembly 15, the preload force of the spring tab 34B exerts torque M34 on the second drive element 27, counteracting the torque M28. The torque M34 is equal to the product of the preload force of the spring tab 34B and the lever arm 27A-45, which is equal to the perpendicular distance between the force vector KV34B of the preload force of the spring tab 34B and the rotational axis 45 of the second drive element 27.

[0095] As a result, a transverse force FQ34 acting on the locking element 40, resulting from the torque M34, counteracts a transverse force FQ28 acting on the locking element 40, resulting from the torque M28, in the desired manner. Reference numeral

[0096] 1 vehicle axle

[0097] 2 drive device

[0098] 3 electric machine

[0099] 4 inverters

[0100] 5 Gearbox

[0101] 6 Output shaft of the electric machine 3

[0102] 7 Gearbox input shaft

[0103] 8 first gear pair

[0104] 8A first spur gear of the first gear pair

[0105] 8B second spur gear of the first gear pair

[0106] 9 second gear pair

[0107] 9A first spur gear of the second gear pair

[0108] 9B second spur gear of the second gear pair

[0109] 10 Gearbox output shaft

[0110] 11 Gearbox housing or drive device housing

[0111] 12 Partition wall

[0112] 13 oil-free interior

[0113] 14 oil-laden interior

[0114] 15 Parking lock arrangement

[0115] 159 Parking lock arrangement

[0116] 1516 Parking lock arrangement

[0117] 16 Drive device

[0118] 16A electrical machine

[0119] 17 Parking lock mechanism

[0120] 18 Locking element

[0121] 18A stop area

[0122] 18B Nipple of the locking element

[0123] 19 Parking lock gear

[0124] 20 Housing of the electrical machine 16A

[0125] 21 Drive shaft of the electric machine 16A

[0126] 22 electrical plug unit

[0127] 23 Lifting magnet first drive element toothing of the first drive element gear of the drive shaft 21 second drive element A operating area of ​​the second drive element A-45 lever arm C, 27D leg of the second drive element spring unit between the drive elements fixed axis of rotation of the first drive element 24 locking device actuating element A stop area for the actuating element actuating rod spring element on the actuating rod spring device -48 bearing distance A spring plate of the spring unit 34 A1 middle area of ​​the spring plate A2,34A3 Leg of the spring plate A31 Bore of the leg 34A3 B Spring tab of the spring plate 34A B1 to 34B3 Preload position of the spring tab 34B C Force introduction area of ​​the spring tab 34B D Further spring tab Guide element A Slope of the guide element Side of the locking element 18 Conical area of ​​the actuating element Tapered slope of the locking element Bolt-like extension of the first drive element Latching element of the latching device 30 Axis of rotation of the locking element 18 and the spring plate 34A Housing-side stop of the first drive element 24 Housing-side stop of the second drive element 27 44 Further housing-side stop of the first drive element 24,

[0128] 45 further rotation axis of the second drive element 27

[0129] 46 Stop of the first drive element

[0130] 47 Hole of the second drive element

[0131] 48 storage units

[0132] 50 housing-side stop for the additional spring clip 34D

[0133] 51 Intermediate shaft

[0134] DR1, DR2 direction of rotation

[0135] F Actuating force

[0136] FQ28, FQ34 shear force

[0137] KV34B force vector

[0138] M28, M34

[0139] MD Course of the torque applied to the locking element 18

[0140] MD(S18a), MD(S18e) discrete value of the torque MD

[0141] S18 Travel of the locking element 18

[0142] S18a, S18b, S18e, S18null discrete value of the travel S18

[0143] V34B Course of the preload of the spring tab

[0144] V34B(34B2), V34B(34B3) discrete preload value a angle

Claims

Patent claims 1. Parking lock arrangement (15) - with a drive device (16), - with a first drive element (24) which can be pivoted by the drive device (16) about a fixed axis of rotation (29), - with a second drive element (27) which is operatively connected to the first drive element (24) via a spring unit (28) and which can be connected to the first drive element (24) in a rotationally fixed manner via a locking device (30) and can be pivoted together with the first drive element (24) about the rotational axis (29) of the first drive element (24), - and with an actuating element (31) which can be brought into engagement or disengaged with a locking element (18) depending on a pivoting movement of the second drive element (27), via which a rotary movement of a shaft (7) can be locked in a locking position of the locking element (18) and released in a release position of the locking element (18), - wherein the second drive element (27) is pivotable by the spring unit (28) about a further rotational axis (45) relative to the first drive element (24) when the locking device (30) is deactivated, which further rotational axis (45) is fixed to the first drive element (24) and is spaced from the rotational axis (29) of the first drive element (24), - and wherein the second drive element (27) and the locking element (18) are assigned a spring device (34) which actuates the locking element (18) in the direction of the release position, characterized in that the spring device (34) has a spring plate (34A) with a spring tab (34B) and with at least one further spring tab (34D) which extend in the longitudinal direction from the central region (34A1) and from the axis of rotation (41) of the locking element (18), wherein the spring constant of the further spring tab (34D) is smaller than the spring constant of the spring tab (32B), wherein the spring tab (34B) rests against the second drive element (27) under pretension in the release position of the locking element (18) and holds the locking element (18) in the release position, and wherein the further spring tab (34B) holds the locking element (18) in the locking position in contact with the actuating element (31).

2. Parking lock arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring plate (34A) comprises a central region (34A1) and two legs (34A2, 34A3) extending longitudinally away from the central region (34A1).

3. Parking lock arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking element (18) is arranged at one end between the legs (34A2, 34A3) of the spring plate (34A) and is firmly connected to at least one of the legs (34A3).

4. Parking lock arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the locking element (18) and the spring plate (34A) are mounted on the housing side so as to be rotatable about a common axis of rotation (41).

5. Parking lock arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second drive element (27) engages with an actuating region (27A) on the spring tab (34B) and guides the locking element (18) via the spring plate (34A) out of engagement with a parking lock gear (19) connected to the shaft (7) in a rotationally fixed manner when the second drive element (27) is pivoted in the direction of a position in which the second drive element (27) is arranged when the locking element (18) releases the rotational movement of the shaft (7).

6. Parking lock arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that a position and a shape of the actuating region (27A) of the second drive element and the position and shape of the spring tab (34B) are structurally coordinated with one another such that in the release position of the locking element (18), the spring force of the spring tab (34B) of the spring plate (34A) acts on the second drive element (27) in such a way that the spring force of the spring tab (34B) of the spring plate (34A) results in a torque (M34) which counteracts the torque (M28) applied to the second drive element (27) and which results from the spring force of the spring unit (28) acting on the second drive element (27).

7. Parking lock arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring plate (34A) rests with the further spring tab (34D) on a housing-side stop (50) at least in the locking position of the locking element (18) and holds the locking element (18) in contact with the actuating element (31).

8. Parking lock arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that a position of the actuating area (27A), a position of the housing-side stop (50) and courses of the spring tabs (34B, 34D) are structurally coordinated with one another such that the locking element (18) is held in the release position by the actuating area (27A) of the second drive element (27) abutting the spring tab (34B), while the further spring tab (34D) and the housing-side stop (50) are disengaged.

9. Parking lock arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the position of the actuating area (27A), the position of the housing-side stop (50) and courses of the spring tabs (34B, 34D) are structurally coordinated with one another such that the further spring tab (34D) rests against the housing-side stop (50) in the locked position of the locking element (18) and the locking element (18) presses against the actuating element (31), while the spring tab (34B) and the actuating area (27A) of the second drive element (27) are disengaged.

10. Parking lock arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring arms (34B, 34D) enclose an acute angle (a) with one another.

11. Parking lock arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (18) is designed with a stop region (18A) against which the spring tab (34B) rests under pretension when the locking element (18) is arranged in the locking position.

12. Parking lock arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (31) on an actuating rod (32) is arranged to be longitudinally displaceable and is subjected to a spring force by a spring element (33) in the direction of a stop region (31A), wherein the actuating element (31) is pressed against the stop region (31A) by the spring element (33) both in the blocking position of the blocking element (18) and in the release position of the blocking element (18).

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