Axle Assembly Torque Transmission Apparatus with Shift Collar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axle assemblies lack effective control over torque transmission, leading to inefficient energy consumption and increased risk of component damage.

Innovation Solution

The axle assembly incorporates a shift mechanism with a gear reduction module and a torque transmission apparatus, featuring a shift collar that selectively engages different gear ratios, allowing for controlled torque transmission and reduced stress on components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If torque transmission is increased to improve power delivery, then power transmission capability is improved, but energy consumption increases and component damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a shift mechanism with a shift collar that can dynamically change gear ratios (between gear 202 and gear 204) to adapt torque transmission to varying operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between power transmission and energy consumption by selecting appropriate gear ratios based on load requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission ratio parameter through the shift mechanism, allowing variation between different gear ratios. This parameter change enables the system to reduce energy consumption during low-load conditions while maintaining adequate power transmission capability when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If torque transmission is increased to improve power delivery, then power transmission capability is improved, but component damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidcomponent damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shift mechanism provides dynamic control over torque transmission by allowing the shift collar to engage different gears (202, 204) based on operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment prevents excessive torque from damaging components by selecting appropriate gear ratios that limit peak torque transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gear reduction module with multiple gears provides beforehand cushioning by distributing torque through different transmission paths. The shift mechanism can pre-select lower gear ratios to cushion against potential torque spikes before they reach the components, reducing damage risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of energy

If gear ratios are changed to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but torque transmission control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtorque transmission control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission system is segmented into distinct gears (202, 204) and a shift mechanism with a shift collar. This segmentation allows independent control of each gear stage, simplifying the overall control logic by breaking down the complex torque transmission into manageable, discrete gear selection decisions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shift collar acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the input shaft and different gears (202, 204). This intermediary mechanism simplifies control by providing a single point of actuation that automatically engages the appropriate gear based on operational conditions, reducing the complexity of direct control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3693637B1Axle assembly inlcuding a torque transmission apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 ARVINMERITOR TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • EP3693637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3693637B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3693637B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A torque transmission apparatus having a shift collar and a drive component. The shift collar may have a collar gear that may have a collar tooth that may have a concave collar tooth side surface that may be centered about a transverse collar tooth plane. The drive component may have a tooth that may have a convex lateral side surface centered about a transverse tooth plane. The concave collar tooth side surface may cooperate with the convex lateral side surface to align the transverse collar tooth plane with the transverse tooth plane.