Common Actuator for Drivetrain Parking Lock and Disconnect Clutch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivetrains in electric or hybrid vehicles face challenges in compact design and high manufacturing costs due to the need for separate actuators for the parking lock and disconnect clutch, which occupy valuable space and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A common actuator is used to activate both the parking lock and disconnect clutch, ensuring the wheel is automatically coupled to the power axle when the parking lock is engaged, reducing component count and enabling a more compact, cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate actuators are provided for the parking lock and disconnect clutch, then the reliability and availability of respective functions are ensured, but the manufacturing costs and overall space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the parking lock actuator and disconnect clutch actuator into a single common actuator. The actuator housing contains both the parking lock mechanism and disconnect clutch mechanism, allowing one actuator to perform both functions. This merging reduces component count and overall space while maintaining functional availability through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The common actuator is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a parking lock actuator and a disconnect clutch actuator. The actuator can selectively engage the parking lock mechanism or the disconnect clutch mechanism based on operational requirements, making a single component perform multiple functions that previously required separate actuators.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate actuators are provided for the parking lock and disconnect clutch, then the respective functions can be actuated independently, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging both actuation functions into a single common actuator, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while the internal design maintains the ability to independently actuate either the parking lock or disconnect clutch as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal actuator design allows a single component to replace multiple specialized actuators, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. The actuator is designed with selectable engagement mechanisms that enable it to perform either parking lock engagement or disconnect clutch engagement based on operational requirements.
3Reliability
If separate actuators are provided for the parking lock and disconnect clutch, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall space available is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the disconnect clutch mechanism is positioned within the actuator housing, and the parking lock mechanism is also integrated into the same housing space. The clutch part and parking lock components are arranged concentrically or in overlapping configurations, allowing both mechanisms to occupy the same radial and axial space envelope, thereby minimizing overall volume consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining both the parking lock and disconnect clutch mechanisms within a single common actuator housing, the patent eliminates the need for separate actuator assemblies that would occupy additional space. The integrated design allows both functions to share common structural elements, mounting points, and actuation pathways, significantly reducing the total volume required compared to separate actuator configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A drivetrain of a motor vehicle having a parking lock for selectively locking the drivetrain, and having an electric motor and a power axle, which is permanently drive-coupled to the electric motor and which via a disconnect clutch can be selectively drive-coupled to at least one wheel of the motor vehicle. The parking lock and the disconnect clutch can be actuated by a common actuator.